Weise was definitely talking to McQuaid, but then Thornton waived him to move back. Weise clearly started talking to Thornton and looked right at him and motioned to drop the gloves while looking right at him. So, while he was gonna fight with McQuaid, he clearly looked right at Thornton and acted like he wanted to drop his gloves.

Fail.

Thanks for showing me the light. I don't know what I was thinking taking the word of one of Thornton's teammates over yours.

I'm starting to realize how retarded you really are each and every time you post here. Please, spare us the extra stress on our eyes and just be quiet. You ensure us that we're not all crazy and Vancouver fans really are that dumb.

I've come down on Monster a couple times in the past but to criticize Monster (and me by proxy) so heavily is a little unfair. He may be wrong about the timing of the GDT but he's certainly correct in saying this is a big game that's getting a lot of attention from fans (and the media). It's the two western conference powerhouses meeting for a game that could determine first place overall in the NHL - plus that whole streak thing you guys got going. It's one thing to criticize when there's a valid reason, but to criticize like you have based on a statement that is at least partially correct seems to me to be more reflective of how you feel about the Canucks and their fans rather than anything particularly shameful that Monster said.

But to the game - whenever I see the GDT's here and the "Projected Starters" and "Injury Report" banners I assume those are hot-linked to another page but that never seems to happen. Maybe that's a FireFox issue though.

Tanev is a good young defenceman and is expected to crack the top four within a year or so.

Luongo is expected to start but I don't think that's been officially announced yet. Canucks play the Devils the next night so Schneider will most certainly get at least one of those games. He has been trusted to play big games against big teams but I'd expect Luongo to get the Wings game. The wild card in this is that I'm sure both Luongo and Coach Vig would like to see Luongo go head to head against Brodeur.

Higgins missed practice yesterday.

Murphy @sportsnetmurph#canucks Higgins blocked a shot in 3rd period (against Nashville) and needed stitches to close a cut. His finger is not broken and he expects to play in DET.

The Canucks have a decided advantage on special teams but that means nothing come game time today. The fact that their powerplay is still first in the league only speaks to how dominant it was early in the season. It has struggled for a couple months now as has the entire team with the exception of the goaltending tandem which has managed to pull out the wins. The team struggles appear to have ended recently though.

I'm expecting a potential game of the year with a playoff atmosphere. Good luck guys and girls.

I always look forward to seeing the Wings come to town - another big game and a measuring stick for both teams with nearly identical records and with both teams rounding into form.

The usual hot suspects on the Canucks are hot - you know who they are. Others include Jannik Hansen, Mason Raymond, Chris Higgins, Cody Hodgson and Michael Bublé.

The main concern for the Canucks will be the number 3 defensive pairing with Andrew Alberts and Alexander Sulzer in for Keith Ballard (possibly) and Aaron Rome (definitely). If Ballard plays (dealing with back spasms), Sulzer will be out.

The most significant injury at the moment is to David Booth (knee) who had been playing exceptional when he was hurt a couple of weeks ago.

I always enjoy games against the Wings. Like the team - like the fans. For me and many Canucks fans (and other team's fans too I think), the Wings are kind of a litmus test for your team. If you can hold your own against them you're not too bad off.

I never said you weren't well-adjusted or that holding in anger is a good thing. I find it to be misplaced in the case of depression. A few of the closest people in my life have battled depression their whole lives, and I also had a friend who ultimately took his life because he simply couldn't bear to live with it any longer.

Like you said, your feeling of anger is perhaps better described as bewilderment. I think that's a much better way of putting it. For me, the only sense of anger I can see regarding this situation would be if Rick had continuously tried to get help for his problem and the system kept failing him because we just don't have a handle on depression the way we'd all like up to this point.

I hear you Mac. And I do regret a little using the word "anger" straight up. It's more like a "WTF and why would you do this" kind of thing. I just don't understand choosing death over a pretty good life. But I guess the answer is in that seomewhere. For him, it wasn't a good life, but me having never been through it or close to someone who has - I just don't understand.

The Canucks did everything they could for him when he was in their organization. Such a shame he felt he had no other alternative because he was a good role model until a couple of days ago.

I've gone from sadness and grief last night to a bit of anger at Rypien today for wasting his life. He had it pretty good when looking at things from the surface. I also realize the anger I feel is likely born of ignorance about clinical depression. I don't know. It's just all so tragic on so many different levels. I loved the guy and maybe I'm being selfish that I won't get to see this little guy take on guys a foot taller who outweigh him by 70 pounds ever again. I know he was no longer a Canuck and I was pissed about that, but still, this is all so s***ty. I guess he will always be a Canuck now.